READ: George HW Bush: One-term president helmed political dynasty

George and Barbara Bush - shown here in 2006 at a ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush at Newport News, Virginia - were married for 73 years AFP/Gary Knapp

"Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," former president George W Bush said in a statement released on Twitter by a family spokesman.

Advertisement

Advertisement

"George HW Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he said.

"The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens."

Statement by the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, on the passing of his father this evening at the age 94. pic.twitter.com/oTiDq1cE7h

George W. Bush (L) spent eight years in the White House, after his father (R) served one term AFP/Mandel NGAN

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, a family spokesman said. Bush is expected to lie in state in the US Capitol.

President Donald Trump, who was in Argentina attending a G20 summit of world leaders, hailed Bush's "sound judgment, common sense, and unflappable leadership".

"Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service," Trump said in a statement.

"As president, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed."

"NEW WORLD ORDER"

Bush - who was born on Jun 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty - put his inevitable political career on hold to join the US Navy during World War II.

He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire.

After a brief career in the oil industry, he entered politics, serving in the US House of Representatives and as chief of the Central Intelligence Agency before being elected Ronald Reagan's vice president.

As he accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president in 1988, Bush pleaded for a "kinder, gentler nation".

He went on to easily defeat Democrat Michael Dukakis that November.

Bush was a foreign policy stalwart who declared a "new world order" in 1990 and drove Iraq from Kuwait in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault - and the backing of a coalition of 32 nations.

But he suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton.

In his post-presidency, Bush turned to philanthropy - he joined forces with Bill Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

He worked with Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017.

(From left to right) Former US presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attend a hurricane relief concert in Texas in October 2017 AFP/JIM CHAPIN

In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement.

"After seventy-three years of marriage, George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example."

Tagged Topics

Share this content

Bookmark

More stories for you

Get the CNA newsletter in your inbox

Invalid email address

It looks like the email address you entered is not valid.

I consent to the use of my personal data by Mediacorp and the Mediacorp group of companies (collectively "Mediacorp") to send me marketing and advertising materials in relation to goods and services of Mediacorp and its business partners and for research and analysis

About Us

Advertise with us

Get the news that matters in your inbox every morning!

Please enter your email address

I consent to the use of my personal data by Mediacorp and the Mediacorp group of companies (collectively "Mediacorp") to send me marketing and advertising materials in relation to goods and services of Mediacorp and its business partners and for research and analysis